Report: iAds Off to ‘Bumpy Start’ Amid Apple’s Control Freaks

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Steve_Jobs_iAds

Apple’s legendary reputation of being full of control-freaks raised its head over the weekend. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, some companies complain it could take more than two months to create and display a spot on Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform.

“Apple has kept tight control on the creative aspects of ad-making, something advertisers aren’t used to,” the newspaper reported Sunday, citing ad execs. One source told the Journal, Apple’s involvement could extend building an ad two weeks longer than usual.


Why the huge time-lag? Some point to Apple’s need to work the “kinks” out of the new iAds platform. Others said Apple insists on using HTML5 to develop the ads, but hasn’t provided ad clients a kit that explains what the format can and cannot do.

However, the delays appear worth it. Nissan told the Los Angeles Times iAds gets five times the clicks as traditional mobile advertising. Dictionary.com said last week iAds enabled the site to charge 177 percent more for ad space.

Apple’s iAds platform, launched July 1, displays ads in software used by iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

[AppleInsider, WSJ]

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